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State of Alaska

Health Indicator Report of Drug Use - Methamphetamines - Adolescents (Grades 9-12)

Methamphetamine is characterized as being highly addictive and is a public health concern.^1^ Not only can methamphetamine use cause physical harm to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system but also has psychological impacts such as depression and anxiety.^2^ While the rate of methamphetamine use has begun to decline, many impoverished urban and rural areas in the U.S. continue to have a high prevalence of abuse.^3^[[br]] [[br]] ---- {{class .SmallerFont 1. Henry BL, Minassian A, Perry W. Effect of methamphetamine dependence on everyday functional ability. Adict behave 2010;35(6):593-598. 2. Shane Darke, et. al. (2008). Major physical and psychological harms of methamphetamine use, Drug and Alcohol Review, 27:3, 253-262. 3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Behavioral health barometer: United States, 2015. HHS Publication No. SMA-16-Baro-2015. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2015. [http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA16-BARO-2015/SMA16-BARO-2015.pdf]. Accessed September 20, 2016. }}

Notes

** = Data not available.

Data Sources

  • [http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Chronic/Pages/yrbs/yrbs.aspx Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System], Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  • [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)], Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC

Data Interpretation Issues

Alaska has conducted a statewide YRBS biennially since 1995 with the exception of 1997. Weighted data were not obtained in 2001 and 2005 and, therefore, no statewide estimates are available for those years. A YRBS conducted in 1999 did not include the Anchorage School District and, therefore, was not considered a valid statewide estimate. No YRBS was conducted in Alaska in 1997. Traditional high schools are sometimes called comprehensive high schools. They are public high schools that are distinct from alternative high schools, which serve students at risk of not graduating, charter schools, correspondence schools, and students enrolled in high school in correctional facilities. Responses are weighted to reflect youth attending public traditional high schools in Alaska. The question on adolescent (grades 9-12) on ever using methamphetamines in their lifetime has been asked on the Alaska YRBS since 2003.

Definition

Percentage of adolescents (grades 9-12) who responded 1 or more times on the [http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/chronic/pages/yrbs/yrbs.aspx Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)] to the question: "During your life how many times have you ever used methamphetamines also called "speed", "crystal", "crank" or "ice" ?" Responses of 0 are not considered as having a positive response for methamphetamines.

Numerator

Weighted number of adolescents (grades 9-12) who responded 1 or more times on the YRBS to the question: "During your life how many times have you ever used methamphetamines also called "speed", "crystal", "crank" or "ice" ?" Responses of 0 are not considered as having a positive response for methamphetamines.

Denominator

Weighted number of adolescents (grades 9-12) with complete and valid responses on the YRBS to the question on ever using methamphetamines in their lifetime, excluding those with missing, "Don't know/not sure" or "Refused" responses.

Healthy People Objective: Reduce the proportion of adolescents reporting use of alcohol or any illicit drugs during the past 30 days

U.S. Target: 12.8 percent

How Are We Doing?

In the 2017 YRBS, 2.9% of Alaska adolescents (high school students in grades 9-12) reported using methamphetamines in their lifetime. Adolescent report of ever using methamphetamines was higher in students reporting academic performance of not mostly As and Bs (6.2%) than those reporting performance of mostly As and Bs (1.5%). The prevalence of ever using methamphetamine was higher among current smokers, current smokeless tobacco users, current marijuana users and binge drinkers when compared to their peers who did not use those substances.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

In the 2017 YRBS, Alaska adolescents reported approximately the same prevalence of ever using methamphetamine (2.9%) use as seen nationally (2.5%). Since 2007, the prevalence of lifetime methamphetamine use in Alaska has mirrored that seen in the US.

What Is Being Done?

The State of Alaska Epidemiologic Profile on Substance Use, Abuse and Dependency is available at: [http://dhss.alaska.gov/dbh/Documents/Prevention/EPI2013.pdf]. This profile provides a more detailed report on the state of substance use and abuse in Alaska.

Evidence-based Practices

There are multiple sources for research on interventions to prevent and reduce the use of illicit drugs in the adolescent population. Alaska is partnering with other states, the [https://www.cdc.gov/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] and the [https://www.samhsa.gov/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)] to develop a series of public health strategies gleaned from the evidence base. SAMHSA maintains a website that collects the latest in substance abuse prevention evidence based practices. The link to the information can be found here: [https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention].

Available Services

If you suspect someone has consumed too much methamphetamine call 9-1-1 or take the person to an emergency room. Treatment centers for substance misuse can be found at [http://dhss.alaska.gov/dbh/Documents/TreatmentRecovery/SUD%20Providers/Substance%20Use%20Disorder%20Treatment%20Providers.pdf].
Page Content Updated On 10/23/2018, Published on 10/24/2018
Injury Surveillance Program, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, 3601 C St, Ste 540, Anchorage, AK, 99503. Telephone: (907) 269-8000. Email: Injury@Alaska.gov
The information provided above is from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services' Center for Health Data and Statistics, Alaska Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health (Ak-IBIS) web site (http://ibis.dhss.alaska.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Wed, 20 March 2019 from Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Center for Health Data and Statistics, Alaska Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health web site: http://ibis.dhss.alaska.gov ".

Content updated: Thu, 8 Nov 2018 09:46:56 AKST
The information provided above is from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services' Center for Health Data and Statistics AK-IBIS web site (http://ibis.dhss.alaska.gov/). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Wed, 20 March 2019 13:32:42 from Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Center for Health Data and Statistics, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.dhss.alaska.gov/ ".

Content updated: Thu, 8 Nov 2018 09:46:56 AKST